MALAWI: CCJP Cross-examines the Country’s Socio-economic and Political Situation
Sam Kalimba
The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) in Malawi has lamented the prevailing socio-economic and political situation in the country in a statement released on 7th December, 2022.
The document co-signed by the National CCJP Coordinator, Boniface Chibwana and all the 8 Arch/Diocesan CCJP Coordinators says that it is undeniable that Malawi is presently at a crossroad owing to the undesirable situation in various spheres of public life.
Members of CCJP argue in their statement that the socio-economic reality encountered by the majority of Malawians is quite appalling and the state of political governance and human rights is regrettably pathetic and deplorable.
The statement provides checks on government’s lukewarm approach to curb corruption, the arrest of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Director General Martha Chizuma now released unconditionally, inadequate and ineffective protection of the elderly amidst grave human rights violations, resurgence of attacks, abductions and killings of persons with albinism; the empty promise for protection, continued uncertainty surrounding the affordable input programme and attendant suspicious dealings, and unmanageable and unsustainable government debts the country is facing.
However, CCJP in the same statement has duly commended the government for living up to its promise to empower the ACB and to establish a special court to aid in fighting against the vice. The statement says this has been done through the amendment of the Corrupt Practices Act to remove the ACB’s seeking of consent from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) when investigating and prosecuting corruption cases. It says that the amended legislation has also created the Economic and Financial Crimes Court to speed up prosecution of corruption cases. Further, it says that the institutional support to the ACB through the recruitment of 17 additional prosecutors (lawyers) and 19 investigators is another welcome development.
The Commission has since provided 13 recommendations for concerned players to do their part so that the situation improves. It has asked the State President of the Republic of Malawi to urgently take action on the revelations of grand corruption in government agencies such as at the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) by, among other things, suspending all those connected to the allegations from public offices. It also requests that the President should demonstrate his sincerity and genuine commitment towards supporting the ACB and its Director General in the fight against corruption through provision of security to the staff working for the corruption busting body among others.
In an interview with this reporter, the CCJP National Coordinator Boniface Chibwana said that the NOCMA saga leaves a lot to be desired.
“If the government machinery does not act on those that were mentioned by the former NOCMA CEO, Ms. Helen Buluma in her response to an open inquiry that the Legislature’s Public Appointments Committee held last month, then fight on corruption will never be started,” said Chibwana as he was travelling from the Eastern district of Mangochi on 8th December, 2022.
“The failure of President Chakwera to comment or take action on such revelations, which connected high profile people in his government including the Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet (Ms. Colleen Zamba), demonstrates lack of political will and leadership in dealing with grand corruption in the country. This posture by the State President does not augur well with his official or public speeches in which he purportedly claims to be a champion of the anti-corruption fight,” reads part of the statement.
Chibwana also said that the atrocities that the elderly and people leaving with albinism keep on facing are inhumane and against the general principle of life and sanctity of life. He said that on their part as CCJP they are building capacities of people in the communities and raise awareness on the same.
“We only ask the Malawi Police Service to provide adequate security to elderly persons in the country and further ensure proper handling of the cases of harassment and victimization of the older men and women in the justice system. Again, Government should take concrete steps to discipline and mete out relevant sanctions to traditional and community leaders who fuel witchcraft accusations,” said Chibwana.
The statement further asks the Government of Malawi, through the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, should expeditiously facilitate the tabling of the Older Persons Bill in Parliament to provide effective security and access to justice for the elderly.
The statement came two days before the countries State President was earmarked to lead the nation in the commemoration of 2022 International Anti-Corruption Day scheduled for Friday, 9 December.
